Florida Housing (FHFC): Every Down Payment Assistance Option
Florida Housing runs the statewide programs, and it is unusually generous: three different down payment assistance options, including the flagship Hometown Heroes. Here is the full map, plus the county programs on top of it.
Three flavors of assistance
What sets Florida apart is choice. Most states give you one down payment second. Florida Housing gives you three, and they work differently. FL Assist is a flat $10,000 as a repayable deferred second, you pay it back when you sell or refinance. FL PLUS is a percentage of your loan (3%, 4%, or 5%) as a forgivable second that erases itself over five years. And Hometown Heroes, the flagship, can go up to $35,000. Picking the right one is the whole game, and it depends on how much help you need and how long you plan to stay.
The three options side by side
| Option | Amount | Structure |
|---|---|---|
| FL Assist | $10,000 | 0% deferred second, repayable at sale/refinance/payoff |
| FL PLUS | 3%, 4%, or 5% of the total loan | Forgivable second, forgiven 20%/year over 5 years |
| Hometown Heroes | Up to 5% of the first mortgage (max $35,000) | 0% deferred second (verify current terms & funding) |
FHFC second-mortgage funds cannot bridge appraised-value/price gaps or pay off borrower debt. Amounts and Hometown Heroes funding change; confirm at floridahousing.org.
The first mortgages behind the assistance
The down payment second always rides on a Florida Housing first mortgage. You can go government, FHA, VA, or USDA, or conventional through HFA Preferred (Fannie Mae) or HFA Advantage (Freddie Mac). The minimum credit score is 640 for all borrowers, or 660 if the loan is manually underwritten. A mortgage credit certificate (MCC) is also available on several tracks, giving you a federal tax credit on part of your mortgage interest for the life of the loan.
County programs on top
Florida also has a deep bench of county housing finance authorities, Orange (OCHFA), Hillsborough (Home Sweet Home), Jacksonville, Lee (OAHO), Pinellas, and more, each running its own local assistance and MCC. They are separate from the statewide program and generally not combined with it. For most buyers the statewide Florida Housing options are the simplest path, but a county program can be the better fit depending on your address. See our county HFA vs. Florida Housing page.
Verified August 2026 against the FHFC Standard Programs master term sheet and Florida Housing. This is not a commitment to lend; rates are posted on the operator’s site. Related: Hometown Heroes · FL Assist vs. FL PLUS.
Common questions
What down payment assistance does Florida Housing offer?
Three options: FL Assist ($10,000, repayable), FL PLUS (3-5% of the loan, forgivable over 5 years), and Hometown Heroes (up to 5% of the first mortgage, max $35,000). All pair with a Florida Housing first mortgage (FHA, VA, USDA, or conventional) and require a 640 credit score.
What credit score do I need for Florida Housing?
A 640 minimum credit score for all borrowers, or 660 for manual underwriting. The programs pair with FHA, VA, USDA, or conventional (HFA Preferred / HFA Advantage) first mortgages, and an MCC is available.
Can I use both Florida Housing and a county program?
Generally no. County HFA programs (Orange, Hillsborough, Jacksonville, Lee, and others) are separate from statewide Florida Housing and are usually not combined with it. You use the one that fits your county and situation.
See which Florida program fits you
Tell us your county, credit range, and price target, and we’ll map your Florida path in a no-pressure 20-minute call. No obligation.